Providing perspective on the economics and politics of sports business in Florida...and the Rays' campaign for a new stadium in Tampa Bay.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Sternberg, Kriseman Meet for Second Time

Just hours after he coyly told reporters he might have a little time to squeeze in some business in St. Pete, Rays principal owner Stu Sternberg reportedly met with Mayor Rick Kriseman Tuesday afternoon, just their second face-to-face meeting.

But the Tampa Bay Times reports Sternberg said the meeting was just "general in nature," with "nothing at all" decided {link to Times' site}. That matches up with what the mayor said last week regarding a restart on stadium talks and a "very broad" intial approach.

The Times continues:

"At a point, yes,'' Sternberg said. "Right now I think, at my suggestion, he clearly has a lot to do - he's 40, 50 days in the door - this shouldn't be the first or second or fifth thing he focuses on. And it's such a large issue that he should be able to get a sense of who we are to the community and to the region and make some decisions based on that.''

After inquiries from the Times, Kriseman's office issued a statement Wednesday that said: "Mayor Kriseman and Rays leadership met on Tuesday to discuss the future of baseball in St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area. Both parties agreed that such talks, based on mutual trust and respect, should remain private and not distract from what is sure to be another exciting season of Rays Baseball.''

The good news seems to be Kriseman and Sternberg already agree on one thing: that the nosy press should just butt out.